One hope that I have when I think about working with children and families who come from diverse backgrounds is that they are given the opportunity to be a part of a community and to overcome the obstacles that they may face.  
One goal that I would like to set for the early childhood field related to the issues of diversity, equality, and social justice is to become an advocate for families and children and to educate the public on how important it is to involve individuals from other cultures so that we can have a growing community of diverse populations and to teach our children starting from early on to respect all people and to do what is right for society as a whole for the greater good of our nation.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues for the inspiration, words of encouragement and the wealth of knowledge that I have gained from the discussions and blogs. I wish the very best that life has to offer all of you and know that all of us will do great things for the children and fam

ilies we serve as well as those in the different communities.

  Best of luck and many blessings ,Debra       

Welcoming Families from Around the World

In preparing myself for a child who came from Africa into the child care facility I would research the country where the child and their family has come from on their customs, culture  ,traditions, food and clothing choices. I would also inform the staff so that everyone would be aware as everyone must be involved to make the whole family comfortable and welcomed and to make their transition smoother. Additionally I would have the teacher incorporate lessons on the country of Africa so the other students will know about the child entering the class. Pairing the child with a buddy would help the child to make him/her feel part of the class. I would provide resources for the family upon the needs that they may have.

                              

The Personal Side of Bias, Prejudice, and Oppression

In the 60’s in the South was a time of extreme prejudice for African American’s. I was 6 or 7 years old when my Grandfather and I was at a store and I had to use the facilities and we were told that there was none for “niggers” my Grandfather was in his late 60’s at the time and had seen and been the target of more  prejudices than anyone I knew. I remember the look on his face, he did not say anything to this clerk and I wondered why he was so sad only later to find out just how people who do not have the same color skin as I do often treat people of color negatively. He later told me how I must be careful of what I do and say when I am away from home because he loved me so much and did not want anything to happen to me. Later I came to understand that although we were good enough to spend our money we were not good enough to be treated with dignity. The same family still owns the store and the children now operate it. I went to school with one of the children who no one would imagine came from the same family due to her compassionate ways towards others.

Equality was diminished by not respecting me and my Grandfather. At the time this incident brought up feelings of shame of being a little colored girl and not feeling worthy and less than. It also made me feel bad for my Grandfather because I know he would have liked to express his opinion but was afraid for our safety if he were to speak out.

I believe that if the clerk would have to change her views and that we are all human and all are worthy of being respected and if the situation was reversed she would have a better appreciation of what people of color have had to, and still are dealing with and most likely will continue to experience until the end of time.